The moon blocks out the sun in coast-to-coast eclipse in the US (CCSS Level: Grade 9, Words: 302)

Aug 22, 2017 World News

A

A

A

Millions of Americans gazed in wonder through telescopes, cameras and disposable protective glasses as the moon began blotting out the sun in the first complete solar eclipse to sweep the US from coast to coast in nearly a century.

After weeks of anticipation, the sight of the moon's silhouette passing directly in front of the sun, blotting out all but a halo-like solar corona and causing a precipitous drop in temperature, drew whoops and cheers from onlookers gathered at vantage spots across the nation.

"First contact" someone yelled. Horns honked. Eclipse glasses were popped on to faces, all of which turned eastward to the sun. The celestial show on Monday (Tuesday NZ/CN Time) was expected to be the most observed and photographed eclipse in history, with millions staking out prime viewing spots and settling into lawn chairs to watch, especially along the path of totality - the projected line of shadow created when the sun is completely obscured.

The projected path of totality was 96 to 113km wide, running diagonally across the continent from Oregon to South Carolina, with total darkness lasting only about two to three minutes in any one spot.

At the White House, Donald Trump was spotted observing the eclipse from the Blue Room Balcony with his wife, Melania, son Barron and a handful of other top administration officials. At one point, Trump gestured to other onlookers and pointed up at the sky at which point at least one White House aide could be heard interjecting "don't look!"

Some disappointed sky gazers in other cities and towns in the US, including Oakland, Chicago and New York got to experience the midday darkening of the sky "but the sun was partially covered by clouds," posted one Twitter user from Waterloo, Indiana where more than 90% of the sun was covered.